Driver Reviver

The Driver Reviver Program is a community initiative operated nationally by volunteers. The Program aims to provide an opportunity for the community to contribute to Towards Zero, WA’s road safety strategy 2008-2020 by addressing fatigue related road trauma.

By visiting an operating Driver Reviver site, travellers can take a break in their journey for a free cup of coffee or tea, a biscuit and most importantly, a chance to stop and revive so drivers reach their destination safely.

Driver Reviver is a national program, sponsored by the Toll Group (partner), the Arnott's Foundation, Bushells Coffee, Bushells Tea and Sunshine Sugar. In WA, Driver Reviver is managed by WALGA’s RoadWise and overseen by a Reference Group comprising of representatives from Main Roads WA, the WA Police Force and the Road Safety Commission.

Through this sponsorship and RoadWise, Driver Reviver sites are provided with Driver Reviver and road safety promotional material, biscuits, coffee and tea to encourage drivers to stop, revive and survive.

WALGA's RoadWise would like to thank all WA Driver Reviver operators for their dedication and commitment to road safety and addressing driver fatigue by operating Driver Reviver sites across the State. Below is a snap shot of their success during 2017-18. For further information, download a copy of the Driver Reviver and Coffee Stop Program Report 2017-2018 from the online form.

Click on any of the below topics to find out more.

About Driver Reviver in WA

Driver Reviver in Western Australia began over the Christmas period in 1992 at Southern Cross and has grown to involve 19 locations throughout the State.

The locations generally operate during public and school holidays, and long weekends. Volunteers man each stop, donating their time to provide motorists with an opportunity to contribute to road safety by addressing driver fatigue. See dates for upcoming Driver Reviver stops.

Driver Reviver sites are an ideal place to take a break on a long journey. They also provide an opportunity for Local Governments, police, sponsors and other road safety partners to work together towards zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

Getting involved

If you would like more information or to find out how to get involved by becoming a volunteer or siteoperator, download a copy of the WA Driver Reviver Program Kit from the download form and contact your closest Road Safety Advisor.

Driver Reviver operators

WALGA’s RoadWise would like to remind all site managers to submit reports on operating periods. These reports are collated and used to obtain national and local sponsorship for the Program. If you need a report form, email RoadWise; roadwise@walga.asn.au.

Driver Reviver site managers wishing to order supplies outside of the usual operating periods should email RoadWise; roadwise@walga.asn.au.

The facts about fatigue

There are many causes of fatigue, with driving for a long period of time seen as one of the key causes to fatigue-related road trauma.

There is a higher fatigue risk when driving at night time and on rural roads. The WA 10 Year Crash Statistics report showed that fatigue was a factor in more than double serious crashed on rural WA roads between the hours of midnight and 6.00am.[1]

The reaction time of a driver who has been awake for 17 – 19 hours is similar to the reaction time of a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05.[2]

Not sleeping for 20 – 25 hours will reduce a driver’s reaction time to the equivalent reaction time of someone with a BAC of 0.10.

Shift-workers are six times more likely to be involved in a fatigue-related road crash than other workers. Research shows that there are three times as many fatal accidents at work during the night shift (11pm – 7am) as during the day.[3]

It is best to start your journey early and not drive late into the night.

Avoid long hours of driving, particularly at night and after working all day.

If possible share the driving; swap drivers every two hours, or every 200km, or if you feel tired.

If you are making a long journey, plan to stop overnight and get a full night’s rest.

When travelling a long distance, take regular breaks - get out of the car, walk around to stimulate blood circulation, have a cup of coffee or tea, drink plenty of fresh water and have something to eat. This is where the Driver Reviver Program can assist.

If you feel tired, take a ‘power nap’. You will feel the maximum benefit from 15-20 minutes of sleep.

Make sure the interior of your vehicle is well ventilated and not too warm. An overheated vehicle can make you drowsy.